The Wonderworker Christodoulos Margellos JUNE/JULY 2019 • Parish Council President: Georgia Christakes

C H U R C H STAFF

• Parish Priest/Editor: Very Reverend Archimandrite The Wonderworker Christodoulos Margellos JUNE/JULY 2019 • Parish Council President: Georgia Christakes

• Philoptochos President: Paula Pappas WE ALL MUST START SOMEWHERE!

• Sunday School Director: Kim Isberg With astonishment we bow down before the countless number of saints

• Chanter: Louis Anast projected by our Holy Church, those who were the true witnesses of the power of the Holy Spirit and the living presence of God in the world. We • Choir Director: Rosemary DeSanto soon will be celebrating the Feast of Pentecost, and we are called to remember that this day was the beginning of a new era of holiness. This era has no • Missions and Evangelism Direc- tor: Fr. Christodoulos end, as the Kingdom of God has no end. The saints of the Church are the ex-

• HOPE/JOY Advisor: tended Christ, “the creation in Christ” (2 Corinthians5:17). Immersed with Paula Giaouris George the light of the Holy Spirit, they projected for us a life decorated with the • GOYA Advisor: actions of the Holy Spirit, which is a holy life. Born in the world, they were Ted Cachampis able to overcome the desires of this life, and living within the confines of • S.O.N. Bookstore Diane Kontos this world, they transcended past it and freed from all the trappings of the

• Parish Secretary: world, they became free and entered into immortality, a gift given by Lord to those who live a Christ like life. They were not restricted to a particular sex, age or race. They came from all walks of life, from all races, from all classes of people and various standings on the social ladder. They lived an exempla- ry life, and God granted them to be the bearers of the Holy Spirit. It is important to remember that no one was or is born a saint. Many of the saints of INSIDE THIS the Church before they were renewed by repentance were sinners, criminals, ISSUE: harlots, thieves, killers and self-centered. Others were unknown entities, humble everyday members of society; while others were great and were im- Icon Explained 2 portant men and women of their times. The saints of the Church all had one common factor; they all had the same starting point: They knew who they June 3 were, and who they wanted to be like! Calendar This is the prerequisite to Holiness. The saints realized they were human Focus on 4 beings with the tendency to sin, and they put all of their hope for salvation Philoptochos on God’s mercy. The glory with which God honored them, during their earthly life, but more importantly, after death, in the life eternal, was the nat- Community 7 ural and spiritual result of their holiness. The miracles of the saints of our News faith are innumerable, even in our times, be they in miraculous icons, holy Papagalos 8 relics or in sanctified churches. Finally, the purpose of our lives is not only to leave descendants or to accumulate wealth and riches, as well as fame. Our purpose is union with God and sanctification, which is Theosis. “Be ho- Lives of Saints 17- ly as I am holy” is the command of God. If we look upon the saints of our 21 June & July great faith as role models and protectors and as our teachers, then and only July Calendar 22 then will we have rendered them proper honor and respect on their Feast Day.

Focus on Philoptochos

4 SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

It’s finally summer! Time for well-deserved breaks from school, vacations, time with family and friends, and relaxing. Thanks again to everyone that makes our Sunday Church School program so valuable and exciting to the children of St. Nicholas Church. We appreciate all the support we get from our parish council, philoptochos, family, and our friends – we couldn’t do it without your help! Congratulations to our graduates from the 8th grade! We wish you the best as you begin your next adventures! We hope you will all attend in the fall when we begin Sunday School again on September 8th. Watch the bulletin and The Word for the date of our Back to School Picnic in August! We will begin registering students for classes then! We will be in need of both classroom teachers and aides for the fall – if you are interested, please contact Fr. Christodoulos this summer to become part of our team. It is rewarding to work with the children of our parish – they are our future. Have a blessed and safe summer!

Parish Registry May

MEMORIALS Vasiliki Georgelos 6 Months Catherine Mezilson 17 years Christ Mezilson 40 years

BAPTISM Saturday, May 11th, 2019 Sophia daughter of Brenday & Victoria Feeney

MARRIAGE Saturday, May 4th, 2019, Peter Les & Daniella Hafenscher

5 H.O.P.E./ J.O.Y. NEWS HOPE/JOY WELCOMES CHILDREN FROM PRE-SCHOOL THROUGH 6th GRADE. We had our last gathering for this session on Monday, May 6th. We met at Arena Lanes and bowled while enjoying pizza. The Goyans joined us. It is always nice to spend time and have fun together. The kids are competitive, yet very encouraging towards each other. It’s so much fun to watch! We hope everyone enjoys their summer! Look for information about our next meeting, which will be in September. Please stop by our HOPE/JOY shadow box in the hallway, to see upcoming event flyers and pictures of our children. If you have any questions or ideas, please contact the church office for additional information (708) 636-5460, or email Paula George @ pau- [email protected] or Tina Repking @[email protected].

COMMUNITY NEWS PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: Will be on Thursday, June 20th, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. GRADUTE/SCHOLARSHIP SUNDAY: Will be held on Sunday, June 2nd, 2019. Join us this day to help honor all of our graduates. May the Lord Guide them in the journeys ahead. METROPOLITAN NAME DAY OPEN HOUSE: On Monday, June 10th His Eminence Metropoli- tan Nathanael will be hosting an open house at the parish of Saint Nektarios in Palatine, IL beginning with Great Vespers at 6:45 p.m. and an Open House to follow going until 9:00 p.m. Then on Tuesday, June 11th We will be celebrating his feast day at Annunciation Cathedral in Downtown, Chicago with orthros beginning at 8:30 p.m. and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy to follow. The will be a reception following Liturgy. He invites everyone to join him on His Feast Day. So join us in wishing him XRONIA POLLA! 2019 SAINT NICHOLAS GOLF OUTING: This year the Saint Nicholas Golf Outing will be held on Thursday, September 12th, 2019. Mark your calendars and save the date. More information will be coming out after the Festival. SAVE THE DATE: Join us on Saturday, November 2nd, 2019 as Saint Nicholas will be hosting our Fall Smoker and dinner for our parish. Mark your calendars now, and make sure to be there for a memorable and fun event SACRAMENT OF HOLY CONFESSION: The Sacrament of Confession is one of the most important sacraments of the Church. We should always be striving to reconcile ourselves with God. Take a moment to set up a time for this most blessed sacrament. Please call Fr. Christodoulos if you would like to schedule an appointment. God Bless STEWARDSHIP MESSAGE 2019 STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENT: The Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church depends on the love and gratitude of its members in order to perform its sacred ministry. Each member is asked to support the church by annually setting his or her own level of giving, in proportion to his or her earnings. This year, we ask you to search your heart and conscience, and to seriously consider the many needs of our Church, as you determine your Stewardship Pledge of Com- mitment for 2019. Your giving should be a profound spiritual action, coming as an expression of your love and gratitude to God and his church, which blesses you and your family, and preserves and cultivates our Orthodox Christian Faith. To be meaning- ful, your Stewardship Commitment should not be simply a token offering from your surplus resources, but should be a true sacrifice, giving a feeling that “I gave something valuable in order to help my Church,” a GOOD FEELING. Our 2019 Parish Budget is counting on drawing $140,000 from Stewardship. This represents not even half of our an- ticipated expenses. Please realize that every Stewardship Pledge of Commitment should represent conscientious support of our Church for ONE FULL YEAR! To meet our expenses, Saint Nicholas needs an average of over $1,000 from each pledging member in 2019. So you can see how important your contribution is! Some stewards can give more than this; some will give less. We are hoping that every steward of our parish can try to raise their stewardship for the year. Just like we get a cost of living increase through work, so do the expenses of the church go up each year. We need to be mindful to try and increase our giving by at least a bit every year. We know that giving certain amounts can seem daut- ing over time when you are only looking at the final number. Many people would like to give $1,000, $1,500 or even $2,000 a year for stewardship. But that number can seem overwhelming. The best thing we can do is to try and break down those numbers to more manageable expectations. Do you know that setting aside $20 a week for stewardship will mean at the end of the year you will have given $1,040 in Stewardship. $30 a week makes an offering of $1,560 at the end of the year. And $40 a week makes it $2,080 for the year. We know not everyone can do this, and that is ok. Try your best and God will provide.

7 papagalos

Happy Anniversary, Irene – 65 years of a and Happy 14th Anniversary to my Son Christo- blessed marriage! With love, Bill Karopulos pher and daughter-in-law Carol on July **** 6th. Many more years of happiness. Love, Happy Birthday to our granddaughter, Alex Sa- Mom Sarlas vas. Love you, Yiayia and Papou **** **** Congratulations to Elise Lack who begins High Happy Birthday to my son-in-law Warren on School in the Fall. Love you sweetie, Mr. & Mrs. June 27th and to my grandson Nathan for his Savas 9th Birthday on July 5th. Much love, Yiayia Sar- **** las **** Happy Birthday to our Philoptochos Sisters who celebrate in June. They include Joan Baffes, We wish our daughter, Tina, and son-in-law, Georgia Christakes, Katherine Coules, Sarah Rick, a very Happy & Blessed 18th Anniversary. Demos, Katherine Kavouris, Litsa Klioris and Also, we wish our daughter, Presb. Alexis, and Alison Sinadinos. For July, Katherine Angelos, son-in-law, Fr. Chrysostomos, a very Happy & Papagalos chats Marian Dinolfo, Betty Ellis, Ellen Giaouris, Pris- Blessed 15th Anniversary. Love, Mom & Dad, should be short and clla Gogis, Dorothy Miller, Katherine Pantazes, Anna & Nick Paramboukas Maria Papadopoulos, Anna Paramboukas, Alex- **** signed. No is Smith, Sue Smith and Tara Vranas. We wish anonymous chats you all good health. The St. Nicholas Philopto- We wish our dear cousin, Marina Pitsoulakis, will be published. chos Chronia Polla! for her Nameday on July 17th. **** Love, Anna & Nick Paramboukas Submit by first week **** of the month Xronia Polla to my husband Pat Savas and our grandsons Patrick, Perry and Peter who cele- To our dear friend, Voula Demos, Chronia Polla! There are three brate their Namesday on St. Paraskevi July for her Nameday on July 26th for St. Paraskevi. ways to submit your 26th. Also, Xronia Polla to our dear friend Vou- Love, Anna & Nick Paramboukas Papagalos chats: la Demos. Tina and Pat Savas **** **** Email Kathy Roupas I wish my wonderful wife, Anna, a very Happy at A heartfelt thank you to EVERY donation for the 49th Anniversary and a very Happy Birthday. chicagokathy@msn. Father’s Day picnic. Each item allows the picnic Love, Nick Paramboukas to help our beloved St. Nicholas communi- **** com (please put ty. Sue Smith “Papagalos” in the **** I would like to congratulate all the graduates and wish them the very best. subject line) Congratulations for our son Johnny Pappas on Best wishes to my grandson, Alexi Demos for Give a handwritten your High School Graduation!! We are so proud his 9th birthday on June 1st. Hronia polla, Alexi copy to Kathy at of you! Love Mom and Dad (Joanne and John) from your yiayia. **** Happy Birthday to my lovely caring and loving Church daughter Sarah Demos on June 18. I love you, Feed your chat to Congratulations and Kala Stefana for our Sarah! Papagalos in his daughter Diedre Pappas and Zachary Wyman Happy Father’s Day to my wonderful son, on their wedding July 6, 2019! Love and best George Demos. I love you George! Your Mom Birdhouse in the wishes for a beautiful life together!! Love, (Voula Demos) Bookstore Mom and Dad (Joanne and John) **** **** Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband, Happy 11th Anniversary to my daughter Nick Paramboukas. Love, Anna Johanna and son-in-law Warren on June 22nd ****

FINANCIAL UPDATE THROUGH APRIL 2019

Pledges Received $ 84,694.06 Candles 21,104.00 Easter Offering 16,744.00 Christmas Offering 245.00 Other Income 53,028.89 ______Total Revenue $189,255.45

Expenses through April $165.749.95 Surplus for 2019 $24,691.80

June & July 2019 Epistle Readers

Sunday, June 2nd Sunday of the Blind Man Sue Smith

Sunday, June 9th 318 Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Synod John Biesiada

Sunday, June 16th Pentecost John Vranas

Sunday, June 23rd All Saints Dr. Peter A. Patsavas

Sunday, June 30th Holy Apostles Theodore Cachampis

Sunday, July 7th Third Sunday of Matthew Georgia Christakis

Sunday, July, 14th Sunday of the Holy Fathers Dimitri Dimizas

Sunday, July 21st Fifth Sunday of Matthew Spiro Angelos

Sunday, July 28th Sixth Sunday of Matthew Elaine Besbekos 9

The Holy Glorious and All-Praised Leaders of the Apostles, Pe- ter and Paul: Today the Holy Church piously remembers the sufferings of the Holy Glorious and All-Praised Apostles Peter and Paul. St. Peter, the fervent follower of Jesus Christ, for the profound confession of His Divinity: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God,” was deemed worthy by the Savior to hear in answer, “Blessed art thou, Simon ... I tell thee, that thou art Peter [Petrus], and on this stone [petra] I build My Church” (Mt.16:16-18). On “this stone” [petra], is on that which thou sayest: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God” it is on this thy confession I build My Church. Wherefore the “thou art Peter”: it is from the “stone” [petra] that Peter [Petrus] is, and not from Peter [Petrus] that the “stone” [petra] is, just as the Christian is from Christ, and not Christ from the Christian. Do you want to know, from what sort of “rock” [petra] the Apostle Peter [Petrus] was named? Hear the Apostle Paul: “Brethren, I do not want ye to be ignorant,” says the Apostle of Christ, “how all our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ” (1 Cor.10: 1-4). Here is the from whence the “Rock” is Peter. Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the final days of His earthly life, in the days of His mission to the race of man, chose from among the disciples His twelve Apostles to preach the Word of God. Among them, the Apos- tle Peter for his fiery ardor was vouchsafed to occupy the first place (Mt.10:2) and to be as it were the representative person for all the Church. Therefore it is said to him, preferentially, after the confession: “I will give unto thee the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, shall be bound in the heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth: shall be loosed in heaven” (Mt.16: 19). Therefore it was not one man, but rather the One Universal Church, that received these “keys” and the right “to bind and loosen.” And that it was actually the Church that received this right, and not exclusively a single person, turn your attention to another place of the Scriptures, where the same Lord says to all His Apostles, “Receive ye the Holy Spirit” and further after this, “Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them: and whose soever sins ye retain, are retained” (John 20: 22-23); or: “whatsoever ye bind upon the earth, shall be bound in Heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth, shall be loosened in heaven” (Mt.18:18). Thus, it is the Church that binds, the Church that loosens; the Church, built upon the foundational cornerstone, Jesus Christ Himself (Eph 2:20), doth bind and loosen. Let both the binding and the loosening be feared: the loosening, in order not to fall under this again; the binding, in order not to remain forever in this condition. Therefore “Iniquities ensnare a man, and everyone is bound in the chains of his own sins,” says Wisdom (Prov 5:22); and except for Holy Church nowhere is it possible to receive the loosening. After His Resurrection the Lord entrusted the Apostle Peter to shepherd His spiritual flock not because, that among the disciples only Peter alone was pre-deserved to shepherd the flock of Christ, but Christ address- es Himself chiefly to Peter because, that Peter was first among the Apostles and as such the representative of the Church; besides which, having turned in this instance to Peter alone, as to the top Apostle, Christ by this confirms the unity of the Church. “Simon of John” -- says the Lord to Peter -- “lovest thou Me?” -- and the Apostle answered: “Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee”; and a second time it was thus asked, and a second time he thus answered; being asked a third time, seeing that as it were not believed, he was saddened. But how is it possible for him not to believe That One, Who knew his heart? And wherefore then Peter answered: “Lord, Thou knowest all; Thou knowest that I love Thee.” “And sayeth Jesus to him” all three times “Feed My sheep” (John 20:15-17). Besides this, the triple appealing of the Savior to Peter and the triple confession of Peter before the 17

Lord had a particular beneficial purpose for the Apostle. That one, to whom was given “the keys of the kingdom” and the right “to bind and to loose,” bound himself thrice by fear and cowardice (Mt.26:69-75), and the Lord thrice loosens him by His appeal and in turn by his confession of strong love. And to shepherd literally the flock of Christ was acquired by all the Apostles and their successors. “Take heed, therefore unto your- selves, and to all the flock,” the Apostle Paul urges church presbyters, “over which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of the God, which He hath purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28); and the Apostle Peter to the elders: “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof not by constraint, but willingly: not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind: neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when is appeared the Prince of pastors, ye will receive unfading crowns of glory” (1 Pet. 5:2-4). It is remarkable that Christ, having said to Peter: “Feed My sheep,” did not say: “Feed thy sheep,” but rather to feed, good servant, the sheep of the Lord. “Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Cor.1:13). “Feed My sheep”. Wherefore “wolfish robbers, wolfish oppres- sors, deceitful teachers and mercenaries, not being concerned about the flock” (Mt.7:15; Acts 20:29; 2 Pet 2:1; John 10:12), having plundered a strange flock and making of the spoils as though it be of their own particular gain, they think that they feed their flock. Such are not good pastors, as pastors of the Lord. “The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11), entrusted to Him by the chief Shepherd Himself (1 Pet 5:4). And the Apostle Peter, true to his calling, gave his soul for the very flock of Christ, having sealed his apostleship by a martyr’s death, is now glorified throughout all the world. The Apostle Paul, formerly Saul, was changed from a robbing wolf into a meek lamb. Formerly he was an enemy of the Church, then is manifest as an Apostle. Formerly he stalked it, then preached it. Having received from the high priests the authority at large to throw all Christians in chains for execution, he was already on the way, he breathed out “threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1), he thirsted for blood, but “He that dwells in the Heavens shall laugh him to scorn” (Ps 2:4). When he, “having persecuted and vexed” in such manner “the Church of God” (1Cor.15:9; Acts 8:5), he came near Damascus, and the Lord from Heaven called to him: “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?” and I am here, and I am there, I am everywhere: here is My head; there is My body. There becomes nothing of a surprise in this; we ourselves are members of the Body of Christ. “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me; it is hard for thee to kick against the goad” (Acts 9:4-5). Saul, however, “trembling and frightened”, cried out: “Who art Thou, Lord?” The Lord answered him, “I am Jesus Whom thou persecutest.” And Saul suddenly undergoes a change: “What wantest Thou me to do?” -- he cries out. And suddenly for him there is the Voice: “Arise, and go to the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do” (Acts 9:6). Here the Lord sends Ananias: “Arise and go into the street” to a man, “by the name of Saul,” and baptize him, “for this one is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9: 11, 15, 18). This vessel must be filled with My Grace. “Ananias, however, answered: Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he hath done to Thy saints in Jerusalem: and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Thy Name” (Acts 9:13-14). But the Lord urgently commands Ananias: “Search for and fetch him, for this vessel is chosen by Me: for I shall show him what great things he must suffer for My name’s sake” (Acts 9:11, 15-16). And actually the Lord did show the Apostle Paul what things he had to suffer for His Name. He in- structed him the deeds; He did not stop at the chains, the fetters, the prisons and shipwrecks; He Himself felt for him in his sufferings, He Himself guided him towards this day. On a single day the memory of the sufferings of both these Apostles is celebrated, though they suffered on separate days, but by the spirit and the close- ness of their suffering they constitute one. Peter went first, and Paul followed soon after him. Formerly called Saul, and then Paul, having transformed his pride into humility. His very name (Paulus), meaning “small, little, 18 less,” demonstrates this. What is the Apostle Paul after this? Ask him, and he himself gives answer to this: “I am,” says he, “the least of the Apostles... but I have labored more abundantly than all of them: yet not I, but the grace of God, which was with me” (1 Cor.15:9-10). And so, brethren, celebrating now the memory of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, remembering their venerable sufferings, we esteem their true faith and holy life, we esteem the innocence of their sufferings and pure confession. Loving in them the sublime quality and imitating them by great exploits, “in which to be lik- ened to them” (2 Thess 3: 5-9), and we shall attain to that eternal bliss which is prepared for all the saints. The path of our life before was more grievous, thornier, harder, but “we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses” (Heb 12: 1), having passed by along it, made now for us easier, and lighter, and more readily passable. First there passed along it “the author and finisher of our faith,” our Lord Jesus Christ Him- self (Heb 12: 2); His daring Apostles followed after Him; then the martyrs, children, women, virgins and a great multitude of witnesses. Who acted in them and helped them on this path? He Who said, “Without Me ye can do nothing” (John 15: 5). Holy Virgin Martyr Paraskevi: Holy Virgin Martyr Par- askevi of Rome was the only daughter of Christian parents, Aga- thon and Politia, and from her early years she dedicated herself to God. She spent much of her time in prayer and the study of the Ho- ly Scriptures. After the death of her parents Saint Paraskevi distributed all of her inheritance to the poor, and consecrated her virginity to Christ. Emulating the holy Apostles, she began to preach to the pagans about Christ, converting many to Christianity. She was arrested during the reign of Antoninus Pius (138-161) because she refused to worship the idols. She was brought to trial and fearlessly confessed herself a Christian. Neither enticements of honors and material possessions, nor threats of torture and death shook the firmness of the saint nor turned her from Christ. She was given over to beastly tortures. They put a red-hot helmet on her head and threw her in a cauldron filled with boiling oil and pitch. By the power of God the holy martyr remained unharmed. When the emperor peered into the cauldron, Saint Paraskevi threw a drop of the hot liquid in his face, and he was burned. The emperor began to ask her for help, and the holy martyr healed him. After this the emperor set her free. Traveling from one place to another to preach the Gospel, Saint Paraskevi arrived in a city where the governor was named Asclepius. Here again they tried the saint and sentenced her to death. They took her to an immense serpent living in a cave, so that it would devour her. But Saint Paraskevi made the Sign of the Cross over the snake and it died. Asclepius and the citizens witnessed this miracle and believed in Christ. She was set free, and continued her preaching. In a city where the governor was a certain Tarasius, Saint Paraskevi endured fierce tortures and was beheaded in the year 140. Many miracles took place at the saint’s tomb: the blind received sight, the lame walked, and barren women gave birth to children. It is not only in the past that the saint performed her miracles, but even today she helps those who call on her in faith.

The Great Martyr and Unmercenary Pan- teleimon: The Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon was born in the city of Nicomedia into the family of the illustrious pagan Eustorgius, and he was named Pantole- on. His mother Saint Euboula (March 30) was a Chris- tian. She wanted to raise her son in the Christian Faith, but she died when the future martyr was just a young child. His father sent Pantoleon to a pagan school, after which the young man studied medicine at Nicomedia under the renowned physician Euphrosynus. Pantoleon came to the attention of the emperor Maximian (284- 305), who wished to appoint him as royal physician when he finished his schooling. The hieromartyrs Hermolaus, Hermippus and Hermocra- tes, survivors of the massacre of 20,000 Christians in 303 (December 28), were living secretly in Nicomedia at that time. Saint Hermolaus saw Pantoleon time and again when he came to the house where they were hid- ing. Once, the priest invited the youth to the house and spoke about the Christian Faith. After this Pantoleon visited Saint Hermolaus every day. One day the saint found a dead child on the street. He had been bitten by a great snake, which was still beside the child’s body. Pantoleon began to pray to the Lord Jesus Christ to revive the dead child and to destroy the venomous reptile. He firmly resolved that if his prayer were fulfilled, he would become a follower of Christ and receive Baptism. The child rose up alive, and the snake died before Pantoleon’s eyes. After this miracle, Pantoleon was baptized by Saint Hermolaus with the name Panteleimon (meaning “all- merciful”). Speaking with Eustorgius, Saint Panteleimon prepared him to accept Christianity. When the father saw how his son healed a blind man by invoking Jesus Christ, he then believed in Christ and was baptized by Saint Hermolaus together with the man whose sight was restored. After the death of his father, Saint Panteleimon dedicated his life to the suffering, the sick, the unfortunate and the needy. He treated all those who turned to him without charge, healing them in the name of Jesus Christ. He visited those held captive in prison. These were usually Christians, and he healed them of their wounds. In a short time, reports of the charitable physician spread throughout the city. Forsaking the other doctors, the in- habitants began to turn only to Saint Panteleimon. The envious doctors told the emperor that Saint Panteleimon was healing Christian prisoners. Maximian urged the saint to refute the charge by offering sacrifice to idols. Saint Panteleimon confessed himself a Christian, and suggested that a sick person, for whom the doctors held out no hope, should be brought before the emper- or. Then the doctors could invoke their gods, and Panteleimon would pray to his God to heal the man. A man paralyzed for many years was brought in, and pagan priests who knew the art of medicine invoked their gods without success. Then, before the very eyes of the emperor, the saint healed the paralytic by calling on the name of Jesus Christ. The ferocious Maximian executed the healed man, and gave Saint Panteleimon over to fierce torture. The Lord appeared to the saint and strengthened him before his sufferings. They suspended the Great Martyr

Panteleimon from a tree and scraped him with iron hooks, burned him with fire and then stretched him on the rack, threw him into a cauldron of boiling tar, and cast him into the sea with a stone around his neck. Through- out these tortures the martyr remained unhurt, and denounced the emperor. At this time the priests Hermolaus, Hermippus and Hermocrates were brought before the court of the pagans. All three confessed their faith in the Savior and were beheaded (July 26). By order of the emperor they brought the Great Martyr Panteleimon to the circus to be devoured by wild beasts. The animals, however, came up to him and licked his feet. The spectators began to shout, “Great is the God of the Christians!” The enraged Maximian ordered the soldiers to stab with the sword anyone who glorified Christ, and to cut off the head of the Great Martyr Panteleimon. They led the saint to the place of execution and tied him to an olive tree. While the martyr prayed, one of the soldiers struck him with a sword, but the sword became soft like wax and inflicted no wound. The saint com- pleted his prayer, and a Voice was heard from Heaven, calling the passion-bearer by his new name and sum- moning him to the heavenly Kingdom. Hearing the Voice, the soldiers fell down on their knees before the holy martyr and begged forgiveness. They refused to continue with the execution, but Saint Panteleimon told them to fulfill the emperor’s command, because otherwise they would have no share with him in the future life. The soldiers tearfully took their leave of the saint with a kiss. When the saint was beheaded, the olive tree to which the saint was tied became covered with fruit. Many who were present at the execution believed in Christ. The saint’s body was thrown into a fire, but remained unharmed, and was buried by Christians. Saint Panteleimon’s servants Laurence, Bassos and Probus witnessed his execution and heard the Voice from Heaven. They recorded the life, the sufferings and death of the saint. Portions of the holy relics of the Great Martyr Panteleimon were distributed throughout all the Christian world. His venerable head is now located at the Russian monastery of Saint Panteleimon on Mt. Athos. The veneration of the holy martyr in the Russian Orthodox Church was already known in the twelfth century. Prince Izyaslav (in Baptism, Panteleimon), the son of Saint Mstislav the Great, had an image of Saint Pantelei- mon on his helmet. Through the intercession of the saint he remained alive during a battle in the year 1151. On the Feast of the Great Martyr Panteleimon, Russian forces won two naval victories over the Swedes (in 1714 near Hanhauze and in 1720 near Grenham). Saint Panteleimon is venerated in the Orthodox Church as a mighty saint, and the protector of soldiers. This aspect of his veneration is derived from his first name Pantoleon, which means “a lion in everything”. His second name, Panteleimon, given him at Baptism, which means “all-merciful”, is manifest in the veneration of the martyr as a healer. The connection between these two aspects of the saint is readily apparent in that soldiers, receiving wounds more frequently than others, are more in need of a physician-healer. Christians waging spiritual warfare also have recourse to this saint, asking him to heal their spiritual wounds. The holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon is invoked in the Mystery of Anointing the Sick, at the Bless- ing of Water, and in the Prayers for the Sick.

22 MAY PICTURES

Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church 10301 South Kolmar Avenue Oak Lawn, IL 60453-4845 Phone: 708-636-5460 Fax: 708-636-3883 Email: [email protected]

www.stnicholasil.org

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

We are days away for Greek Fest 2019. Final preparations are underway for what promises to be a fun and exciting weekend! It’s not too late to volunteer to help with our biggest fundraiser of the year. There are many ways you can volunteer. Please complete a volunteer form in the weekly bulletin and return it to the church office or you can call email the office you’re your availiablity: [email protected]. We need help with setup prior to the Festival, beginning Wednesday, June 12th- Tuesday, June 18th, when we will need help with cleanup. Volunteering is also a create way for students earn community service hours. Please check our Facebook page, @SaintNicholasGOA for volunteer updates. Congratulations to our Early Bird Raffle Winners of $500 each: Nicki McDonald and Frank Lagouras. Raffle tickets are available for purchase at coffee hour, through the church office and the weekend of the Festi- val. This year we will have a drawing for $1,000 on Saturday night. The winning ticket will be returned to the drum for a chance to win the Grand Prize of $5,000 on Sunday night. Now is the time to get your foursome together for our Annual Golf Outing. This year’s outing will be held on Thursday, September 19th at the Odyssey Country Club. Save the Date, Saturday, November 2nd for our Fall Smoker and dinner which will be held in the community center. More details will follow shortly for this memorable and fun evening. Georgia Christakes Parish Council President